Smart Living Weekly May 9, 2018

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • May 9, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

Rockford: ‘The Cradle of Baseball’

See Page 16

Healthy Fare at Thrive Cafe Beatles Fun at ‘1964 The Tribute’ Is a Home Equity Loan Right for You?

FREE WIN!

2 Passes to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

Pg. 28 Details

Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!

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them you saw it in ... 61104 1100 11th Street (just south ofTell • Rockford, Illinois • 815-227-2000 Charles) Smart Living Weekly

Enjoy breakfast, lunch or a specialty coffee at our cafe.

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In This Issue Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Rockford Peaches Celebrate 75th Anniversary Your Outing ................................................ ..... 11 ‘1964: The Tribute’ Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Pulling Up the Roots Your Health ........................................................23 Learn About Lupis Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25 Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Thrive Cafe Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Money .......................................................29 Consider a Home Equity Loan

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee

ATTENTION!

Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes

Do you want to pay more $$$ for your mortgage? Why would you?!?!

Graphic Designer Samantha Behling

Mortgage & Home Equity loan special going on now... because your biggest investment deserves the most attention.

Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss

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Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Kendra Green

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Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com

Adulting is not always easy.

Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com

We’re here to help.

Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2018 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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A Fine Reputation

D

aughter Rebecca and I strolled the Churchill’s Grove garage sales on Saturday, marveling at the spring blooms. This year they skipped their gradual parade and burst open all in one week. It was a long wait, but what a show. I don’t remember a spring in which our America in Bloom-winning city (2015) has looked any prettier.

Our gardens are a great asset and other strengths are putting us in the spotlight, too.

Former Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey made us proud in his “60 Minutes” interview, Sunday night, in a segment about the way the City is fighting back after being price-gouged by a pharmaceutical company. There’s a rarely used but important drug for infants that cost $40 per vial in 2001. After monopolizing the drug, this company charged Rockford $54,339 per vial in 2015, for a total bill of nearly $500,000 for two infants. Both it and the pharmacy benefit “management” company are in the city’s crosshairs. We shouldn’t be forced to choose between paying for fire equipment or lining the pockets of greedy thugs to save our newborns. Find the transcript at cbsnews.com.

In another distinction, Rockford was THE place to be for the who’s who of Illinois, Saturday night, when the beautiful Lincoln Academy induction ceremony took place at Coronado Theater. Two of eight new Lincoln Laureates were from Rockford in this year of Illinois’ bicentennial. Pretty darned special.

And finally, as our cover story explains, the 2018 international Womens’ Baseball World Cup soon will be on U.S. soil for the first time ever. It will start its U.S. tour in Rockford. Why? “Rockford is the cradle of baseball for both women and men, going back to the 1860s,” says Dr. Kat Williams, president of the International Womens’ Baseball Center.

The celebration coincides with the 75th anniversary of our own Rockford Peaches. If you haven’t watched “A League of Their Own” for awhile, or your kids/grandkids have never seen it, this would be a great time to pull it out.

Beautiful gardens, baseball games, Lincoln Laureates and leaders with some real moxy. In my book, this all adds up to a city with a fine reputation.

Here’s to us! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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6551 E. State St. Call (815) 636-8608 Today!

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May 9

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Y O

‘1964 The Tribute’ to Perform June 23 M

ost of us have never experienced a live performance by The Beatles and never will. But the next best thing to it is coming to Rockford in June when “1964 The Tribute” recreates an early 1960s live The Beatles concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles and accurate onstage banter.

“Those who never saw The Beatles perform live and always wanted to know what it must have been like will come as close as you can possibly get to feeling the magic,” says the band’s publicist.

The band will appear Saturday, June 23, 7:30 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St. “1964 The Tribute” is hailed by critics and fans alike as THE most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute band. Rolling Stone magazine describes the group as “The Best Beatles Tribute on Earth.”

Having toured the globe since the early 1980s, “1964” members have re-

searched and performed Beatles music for more than 35 years. They include Mark Benson as John Lennon; Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney; Tom Work as George Harrison; and Bobby Potter as Ringo Starr.

Benson, a native of Ohio, co-founded the tribute band in 1984. He began playing drums and piano at age 8. “‘1964’ shows the audience what it was like to attend a Beatles concert in the early ’60s and generates the same feeling of happiness that is still generated by the music of The Beatles,” says Benson. “We get so much of this positive energy back from our audiences, it reassures us that,

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for now, we are where we are supposed to be. We had no idea, when we first started this band, that it would lead to us perform at so many of the venues The Beatles played, like Carnegie Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Deauville Hotel, Shea Stadium, and The Cavern in Liverpool, England.”

Through the years, “1964 The Tribute” has shared the stage with luminaries including Chuck Berry, Cheap Trick, The Beach Boys, Rod Stewart, Dave Mathews, Smokey Robinson and James Taylor.

Buy tickets at the Coronado PAC and BMO Harris Bank Center box offices, over the phone at (815) 968-0595, or online at Ticketmaster.com. ❚

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I  W

Pulling Up the Roots T

here’s something so satisfying about pulling an entire dandylion plant out of your lawn, from fuzzy yellow head to long, tapered root. Leave just an inch of that anemic white root in place, however, and you’re soon right back where you started.

Likewise, sins are something we must work to dig out of our souls by their deep roots. A surface mowing looks nice for a day or two, but those fuzzy yellow heads will pop back up in no time. We can fool people, but we can’t fool God. Because he lived in a mostly agrarian society, Jesus Christ often used parables about growing plants. Rooting out the sin that distances us from God and pruning useless branches are common themes.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches.

If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:1-12 NIV) Happy Gardening! ❚ 12

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May 9

Memorial Day Weekend 2018

Loves Park City Hall Festival Grounds • 100 Heart Boulevard buttons are $12.00 at the gate or purchase in advance for $8.00 KIDS 6 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult Sold at Loves Park City Hall,and other select locations IN MACHESNEY AND LOVES PARK button good for all four days • All shows are included with admission

To advertise call 815-316-2300

TICKETS ON SALE!

Diamonds, Denim & Stars WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2018 | 6 - 9 P.M. @ CORONADO THEATRE

Original players from the All American Girls Professional Baseball League will be at the event signing autographs! Megan Cavanagh, most recognized as Marla Hooch from A League of Their Own, and Kim Ng, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, will also be at the event visiting with guests and signing autographs. Vintage cars and trucks will set the scene, and ballpark fare will be served at the Tailgate Party outside the theater. This event will also be the launch site of the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup – the first time this has taken place in the United States!

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, or at the Coronado Performing Arts Center (800.745.3000).

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May 9

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May 9

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R  O R

Rockford Celebrates the Peaches’ 75th

By Lindsey Gapen, managing editor

T

he International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC), in partnership with Friends of Beyer, has planned a series of events to celebrate the Rockford Peaches’ 75th anniversary.

“Rockford is the cradle of baseball for both women and men, going back to the 1860s,” says Dr. Kat Williams, president of IWBC. “In 2018, we focus on the Rockford Peaches 75th anniversary because it’s an important part of women’s baseball history, and because it’s an important part of Rockford’s history.”

The events will be Rockford’s contribution to the year-long Illinois Bicentennial celebration.

On Wednesday, May 30, the anniversary celebration kicks off with “Diamonds, Denim and Stars” from 6-8 p.m. at the Coronado Theater, where the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup will launch on the Coronado stage. Much like

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the Olympics, where the Olympic flame is carried from place to place before the opening ceremonies, the Women’s Baseball World Cup’s trophy will start its tour in Rockford. The world cup will be held Aug. 22-31 in Viera, Fla. “The significance of this is huge,” Williams says. “This will be the first time ever that the international Women’s Baseball World Cup will be on U.S. soil. They want to kick it off here, in Rockford, because they know this is the home of international women’s baseball. This puts all of us on a big stage and further solidifies international media coverage.”

The family-friendly event offers ballpark fare, desserts and a cash bar, plus the opportunity to meet original players from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and actors from “A League of Their Own,” the 1992 film based on the Rockford Peaches.

May 9

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Tickets are available at coronadopac.org.

Celebrity guests at the event include Kim Ng, Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of baseball operations, and Megan Cavanagh, who played Marla Hooch in “A League of Their Own.” “Kim Ng is perhaps the most influential woman in Major League Baseball,” Williams says. “The fact that she is taking time away from her schedule during baseball season to be with us for this celebration and fundraiser is huge for us. Her presence helps to further identify Rockford as the international home of girls and women in baseball.”

“Megan Cavanagh is perhaps one of the most beloved characters in ‘A League of Their Own,’” Williams adds. “In part because she represents every one of us – she was not the prettiest or the most sophisticated – but she was a good athlete and she fit in some place. Further, Megan

R  O R

Clodius + Co. Jewelers donated this one-ofa-kind custom-designed colored diamond and peridot peach pendant to be live-auctioned on stage May 30 at the Coronado Theater.

is an ambassador to the IWBC and a strong supporter of ours and of women’s baseball.”

Festivities continue on Friday, June 1, with “Rockford Peaches Day at City Market” from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Stars from “A League of Their Own” and original AAGPBL players will attend Rockford City Market and greet the crowd from on stage. Attendees can purchase Rockford Peaches items to benefit IWBC, and kids can participate in handson activities. Volunteers will hand out baseball coin banks (think piggy banks,

but in a baseball shape) to start a summerlong campaign that supports IWBC. Happening concurrently, participating shops along East State Street will feature specialty drinks, dishes and themed items for sale to celebrate “Rockford Peaches Day on State.” Stars from “A League of Their Own” will appear along the street through the evening.

At dusk, catch “A League of Their Own” at Davis Park’s free “Friday Night Flix” event. Rockford Peach pennants and glow bracelets will be given to every child in attendance.

On Saturday, June 2, IWBC presents “Baseball in the STEAM Zone,” a family day at Beyer Stadium from 9 a.m. to noon. Kids and their families can participate in hands-on activities that connect baseball to STEAM subjects – science, technology, engineering, art and math.

At 1 p.m., stars from “A League of Their Own” will team up with event sponsors and community leaders (such as Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara) to form a “celebrity team” to play against

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the Rockford Starfires Women’s Baseball Team. The event is free to the public.

Festivities wrap up on Sunday, June 3, with a “Home Run Derby and Closing Ceremonies” event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Beyer Stadium. Children and adults can vie to be the “star” of their age category in various baseball events, and the day concludes with a friendly rivalry baseball game pitting firefighters vs. policemen. Trophies and medallions will be awarded during the closing ceremonies.

Proceeds from the Rockford Peaches 75th Celebration will go toward a fundraising effort to launch IWBC’s new “Baseball in the STEAM Zone” education program and build a $7 million museum and conference/education center across the street from Beyer Stadium.

“We would love to have the building up in three years,” Williams says.

“But, we want the education programming available to Rockford Public Schools long before then. Proceeds from the Peaches 75th Anniversary events will help us accomplish our goals.” ❚

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Y H

Learn About Lupus at Open House May 10 M

ay is Lupus Awareness Month and a Roscoe, Ill., chiropractor is doing her part to help people better understand this chronic autoimmune disease.

Advantage Chiropractic Wellness, 13019 N. 2nd St., Roscoe, will host an open house from 4-7 p.m. on May 10, followed by a 7 p.m. seminar about lupus and autoimmunity. The business is owned by Dr. Alecia Arn. Some of the wellness services offered by Advantage Chiropractic Wellness will be provided at no charge to people with autoimmune issues.

Autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your body.

Inflammation results, which can damage key organs including your heart, lungs, kidneys, skin and brain. Lupus can be mild or life threatening, but with proper treatment, symptoms usually can be managed.

Lupus symptoms vary from person to person. Extreme fatigue and body aches are among the most common ones.

Symptoms may flare and recede, making lupus unpredictable.

Lupus is not contagious and isn’t related to HIV/AIDS or cancer.

About 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide have a form of lupus; 90 percent are women in their childbearing years.

Both African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans develop lupus at a younger age and the disease may be more

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severe for them. Native Americans are especially prone to lupus; in some tribes, the incidence is more than 10 times higher than in the general population. Lupus also impacts more Asian-Americans than the general population. Despite these facts, anyone, of any age, race or gender can develop lupus.

Among the services offered by Advantage Chiropractic Wellness to people with autoimmune issues are Far Infrared Sauna, which aims to detoxify the body and remove heavy metals; Iconic Foot Detox, also for detoxification and which aims to introduce energy into the body through the feet; Pulsed Harmonix, for the purpose of re-energizing the mitochondria in the cells; and Brain Tap, a light and sound technology that helps the brain neutralize stress.

Learn more by attending the open house, calling the office at (815) 3897911, or visiting drarnchiro.com. ❚

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Events

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AE: ‘The Woman in Black’ May 10-27, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A London lawyer hires an actor to help recount a story to family and friends.

Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, Rockford, (815) 226-4100, artistsensemble.org.

Budding Artists Gala Fundraiser May 11, 6-9 p.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Rockford 5th annual gala fundraiser featuring the sale of local artwork and live music. MauhNah-Tee-See Country Club. Tickets $50; learn more at kiwanisclubofrockford.com.

‘The Hiding Place’ May 11-13 & 18-20, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.

The story of Corrie ten Boom and her family, who were watchmakers in the Netherlands when the Nazis invaded and occupied their country. This is the story of their efforts to help the Jews. Teen and older. Main Street Players, 111 W. 1st St., Belvidere, (800) 7412963, mainstreetplayersofboonecounty.com.

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Beekeeping Workshop May 13 & 20, June 10, 2-4 p.m. Learn beekeeping techniques, tools of the trade and everything else to do with bees. Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve. com.

MPAC: Music on Main May 14, 5:30 p.m. Set in the intimate parlor of the historic Emerson House, the salon series presents regionally acclaimed classical musicians. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC), Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Broadway at the Coronado: ‘Cinderella’ May 15, 7:30 p.m. A lush production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s award-winning musical with some surprising new twists.

Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

RSO: Disney Around the World May 19, 7:30 p.m. The magical music of Disney with songs from “The Little Mermaid,” “Pocahontas,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frozen” and more. Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Coronado PAC, Rockford. Tickets: (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com. ❚

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WDL

Healthful, Fresh Fare at Thrive Cafe

By Peggy Werner

A

n expanded menu, longer hours, new equipment and new seasonal items at Thrive Café, 6731 Broadcast Parkway, are making the Rockford area a much healthier place to live.

Owner Jason Rager is a personal trainer and has a strong commitment to helping people live healthier lives by making all menu items from fresh ingredients with no additional fat, sugar or dairy products.

“Customers are so excited about what we have to offer,” says Rager.

“Because everything is fresh and made to order, we get a lot of people wanting to eat healthier because they are ill or on a special diet, or just following a national trend of everyone wanting to eat healthier.”

New this spring are items that can be made with hot food because of a new grill that was installed earlier this year. All bowls, wraps and salads can

be topped with grilled chicken, salmon or tuna and hot vegetables.

Other new items are cleansing vegetable juices, cashew nut milk, shrimp spring rolls, a vegetable quiche and a caramelized onion and mushroom quiche, both made with a sweet potato crust. All salad dressings are made in house and are gluten-free and dairy-free.

Among the most popular protein smoothie is the “Cool Down,” made with Almond Milk, Spinach, natural peanut butter, banana, protein powder and cinnamon. Exotic fruit smoothies include the Dragon Slayer, made with Dragon Fruit, coconut water, banana, pineapple, mango and chia seeds.

Super food micro bites are made with peanut butter, granola, guiltless chocolate or tropical mango.

Rager started out in the summer of 2015 with Thrive Café at Peak Sports

Club, 4401 Peak Drive, specializing in freshly made cold pressed juices and smoothies, and that location remains open. He opened the second location about a year ago, with an expanded menu and seating for up to 20 people.

Thrive Café on Broadcast Parkway is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and closed on Sundays. ❚ ❚

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual American and Italian specialties, Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Com- 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. plete menu at Baciskitchen.com.

GreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. SeaBravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; loit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) Capital House  Fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee (martini 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

bar awaiting liquor license). 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708- Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, 8989. BLD M-Th 8am-4pm, Fri. 8 am-10pm, Sat. 11am-10pm. breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Closed Sunday. $-$$$.

Rockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8amCiao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Dai- 3pm. $-$$.

ly specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654- Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Pizza, Italian favor9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ ites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk (815) 633-7500; 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 2275577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$.

Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. Authen- Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227- Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$.

4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

Thrive Café  Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. Fresh, local-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚ (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

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In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza

W

ith more than 40 years in the restaurant business, Joe Ocello knows how to create an authentic dining experience. Since opening the first Bravo Pizza & Italian Restaurant location in 2001 with wife Francesca, the couple has been refining its classic Italian fare.

Most items are made from scratch, ensuring a home-made meal with fresh ingredients. The Italian beef, served au jus or with tomato meat sauce, was named Best in the Stateline by MyStateline.com in 2013. Top sellers include Italian meatball sandwiches, fettucine Alfredo and fish specials.

“We make it all ourselves. Each meatball is about a quarter pound apiece, so they’re huge,” says Ocello.

Bravo has locations in South Beloit and Poplar Grove. Both offer a full-service bar, catering, carry-out and delivery services.

Learn more at Bravopizzarestaurant.com. ❚

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Y M

Need Cash? Consider a Home Equity Loan

By Peggy Werner

P

eople agonizing over how to pay expenses may be overlooking a solution in their own backyard.

“Your home may be an untapped source of funds you could use to your advantage,” says Matt Lynch, Director of Marketing for MembersAlliance Credit Union, 2550 S. Alpine Road. “Most people are aware of home equity loans, but many don’t think of them as an option when they need money.”

Home equity loans can be used to pay for home renovations, debt consolidation, college or wedding expenses, vehicle purchases and more.

The advantages of home equity loans, in most cases, are lower interest rates and closing costs, with fewer regulatory restrictions and fees. This is because the homeowner is not making a new purchase so the regulatory environment is not as cumbersome.

People often make the mistake of thinking what they’ve already paid on the home figures into the equation, but that’s not necessarily the case. What you can borrow depends on the current value of your home versus what you still owe.

Every financial institution has different types of home equity offerings, interest rates and repayment plans. Rising home values are good news for people who want to access extra cash without paying prohibitively high interest rates.

When borrowing money using a home equity loan, you receive the money in a lump sum and have a fixed interest rate, explains Lynch. This type of loan is not to be confused with a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which is an available maximum amount you can draw money from multiple times whenever you need it. Unlike a home equity loan, a HELOC usually has an adjustable interest rate. It’s a revolving loan, operating similarly to a

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credit card in that you only repay based on what you choose to spend at any given time. The interest rate is much more favorable than a credit card’s interest rate.

Learn more by going to membersalliance.org or any MembersAlliance Credit Union location. MembersAlliance has Rockford locations at 2550 S. Alpine Road, 6951 Olde Creek Road, and inside the Wal-Mart Supercenters on West Riverside Boulevard, Walton Street and the Wal-Mart on Rockton Road. Experienced loan officers are available at all locations.

Preapproval applications are available online. ❚

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